Ineffective/harmful practices
Ineffective and/or harmful treatments (or practices which are not recommended) are those that research has shown to be ineffective or to produce harmful results. The National Standards Report lists no studies specific to individuals with autism on treatments that met their criteria for the ineffective/harmful category.
However, other research studies have resulted in placement of certain treatments, such as holding therapy and facilitated communication, into the practices which are not recommended category (e.g., "Evidence-Based Practices and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Richard L. Simpson).
Please note that lack of compelling evidence that certain treatments are ineffective and/or harmful does not mean there are no treatments available that are ineffective and/or harmful. It simply means there is little or no completed research to show which treatments are ineffective and/or harmful. If during the course of a study, researchers determine that a treatment is ineffective or potentially harmful, the study is usually discontinued or the focus changed to treatments that may be effective. It is for this reason that many treatments which are ineffective or potentially harmful have not been fully studied or listed under this category.
Please exercise caution, common sense and discretion when considering treatments that have not been studied sufficiently. Treatments that have been scientifically proven to be effective are suggested.
Updated: February 11, 2013